Roof Lanterns

How a Lantern Roof Differs from a Flat Skylight

Unlike a flat skylight that sits level with the roofline, a roof lantern rises above it with sloped glazing at all sides and a central ridge. This allows the light to enter from overhead and every direction around it.

This creates a striking space, flooding the area with natural light, rather than illuminating a single point. The extra ceiling height gives even a modest extension a real sense of volume and depth.

Whether you’re fitting a contemporary flat roof extension, or you’re making an addition to a period property, a roof lantern adds character to any space.

View the illustration below to explore the essential components that define the design, functionality, and durability of our roof lanterns.

Timber, Glass, and How It All Comes Together

Similarly to our timber windows, the roof lanterns start with an engineered timber frame internally. This is a material with natural thermal properties that hold its shape over time, preventing warping or degradation. This pitched structure is manufactured with timber rafters that slope up to a central point at the peak, where they connect through a solid resin kingpin.

The roof lantern is finished with decorative finials made from resin, and paired with powder-coated aluminium cladding on the exterior. These run along the ridge and down each rafter, fitted with gaskets to hold the glass panels securely and keep water out. The whole lantern sits on a kerb, raised edge with the roof membrane sealed inside, ensuring the inside is safe from water ingress.

Ventilation can also be included with your roof lantern to promote good air quality and flow. Electrical vents with an aluminium shroud can open and close automatically with rain sensors and a thermostat.

We use toughened double-glazing glass with all our roof lanterns, utilising low-emissivity coatings and warm-edge spacer bars as standard, achieving U-values that comply with current UK Building Regulations.

There is also the option to upgrade the glazing to laminated, low-maintenance, or solar-reflective glass if needed. We personally work with you to understand which glazing works best, depending on the age of your property or its current thermal performance.

To add a personal touch to your roof lantern, you can choose from a selection of colours for the interior or exterior, and for the finials.

Planning and Building Regulations

When adding a flat roof lantern to an existing extension, it will normally fall under Permitted Development, so a separate planning application is not necessarily required.

However, if the property is listed, sits within a conservation area, or the area itself needs consent, planning permissions may apply. This is especially so where timber conservatories or orangery extensions are being considered.

The UK Building Regulations are a separate matter, as a roof lantern will need to satisfy thermal performance requirements (Part L), structural loading criteria, and safety-glazing standards.

Full technical data is provided with every product, and our expert team can work directly with a builder or architect to keep your project moving on time.